EP1229940B1

EP1229940B1 - Temperature-controlled and ph-dependant self-gelling biopolymeric aqueous solution

Info

Publication number: EP1229940B1
Application number: EP00975711.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Abdellatif Chenite; Cyril Chaput; Dong Wang; Amine Selmani
Original assignee: Piramal Healthcare Canada Ltd
Current assignee: Piramal Healthcare Canada Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-15
Filing date: 2000-11-10
Publication date: 2014-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-10
Also published as: EP1229940A1; CA2427938C; CA2427938A1; AU1375301A; US20100028434A1; US8920842B2; ES2491866T3; CA2685349C; WO2001036000A1; DK1229940T3; CA2685349A1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INTENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the composition of molecular assemblies in liquid solution that enables temperature-controlled pH-dependant formation of biopolymeric gels, such as polysaccharide-based, and methods of preparation thereof.

(b) Description of Prior Art

Biopolymers and macromolecules are attractive materials for the preparation and design of self-gelling and/or auto-assembling systems. Numerous attempts tend to develop such systems on the basis of polysaccharides and polypeptides.
International publication No. WO 99/07416 describes a gel composition containing 0.5 to 4% weight to volume chitosan in aqueous acidic solution with mono-phosphate dibasic salt of polyol or sugar for producing temperature-controlled pH-dependent gelation.
In situ formed gels were also proposed with ionic polysaccharides. A composition can be used as a medical device for drug delivery, the application of a diagnostic agent, or the prevention of post-operative adhesions, and is composed of an aqueous liquid vehicle which is capable of being gelled in situ. It includes at least one ionic polysaccharide, at least one film forming polymer, and a medicament or pharmaceutical agent, water, and optionally, a counter-ion capable of gelating the ionic polysaccharide. However, the gelation is reached by interaction between the ionic polysaccharide and the film-forming polymer, or by counter-ion induced cross-linking of the ionic polysaccharide. Other in situ forming gels are based upon polyoxyalkylene composition or polyoxyalkylene/ polysaccharide mixture or alginate/cation mixture in situ.
It would be highly desirable to be provided with a biopolymeric gel that is formed while excluding any organic solvent, any organic monomers, any ionic or covalent cross-linking that may be potentially toxic or induce a reduced biological compatibility.
It would be highly desirable to be provided with a biopolymeric gel that is formed by stimulus-induced free interactions between biologically acceptable and well-recognized molecules. encapsulate cells and cellular material while retaining their biological activity.
It would be highly desirable to be provided with such gels, which would retain its solid or gel state at the physiological temperature or 37°C.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aim of the present invention is to provide a way allowing the preparation of a neutral clear liquid solution of a pH-controlled acid-soluble biopolymer while avoiding any unwanted precipitation or heterogeneous gelation.
A second major aim of the present invention is to provide a neutral clear liquid solution of a pH-controlled acid-soluble biopolymer that will thermally form solid homogeneous gels at a temperature close to the physiological temperature.
Another aim is to provide temperature-controlled pH-dependant formed gels, which could be used to encapsulate cells and cellular material while retaining their biological activity.
A further aim of the present invention is to provide gels that would retain its solid or gel state at the physiological temperature or 37°C.
Still one aim of the present invention is to provide a method for the preparation of such gels.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a liquid self-gelling composition according to claim 1.
The composition can be prepared from organic and/or inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, acetic acid, salicylic acid, formic acid, glutamic acid, phosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, or glycerophosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.
The molecule, residue or sequence is preferably selected from the group consisting of N,N-bis[hydroxyethyl]glycine (BICINE), bis [2-hydroxyethylJiminotds [hydroxymethyl]methane (BIS-TRIS), Glycyl-glycine (GLY-GLY), Triethanolamine (TEA), N-tris [hydroxymethyl]methylglycine (TRICINE), and Tris [hydroxymethyl]aminomethane (TRIZMA), and derivatives or mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the composition further comprises at least one other water-soluble polymer, such as collagen, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propylcellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, or polycaprolactone diols, and derivatives or mixtures thereof.
The composition of the present invention may further comprises a solid particulate or a water-soluble additive, such as a drug or a pharmaceutical agent, microorganisms, plant cells, animal cells or human cells dispersed therein.
The composition of the present invention may be used as a carrier for delivering a pharmaceutical agent in situ.
Still in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a composition as defined above. The method comprises the steps of:

a) dissolving the pH-gelling acid-soluble biopolymer within an aqueous acidic solution of a pH from about 1.0 to about 5.0 at a temperature ranging from 0 to 20°C to obtain an aqueous biopolymer composition having a concentration of 0.1 to 10% by weight of the biopolymer;
b) dissolving 0.1 to 10% by weight of the water-soluble molecule obtain a clear liquid formulation with a pH ranging between 5.8 and 7.4.

The liquid formulation may be heated at a temperature above 30°C to obtain a solid gel, the gel having a pH from about 5.8 to about 7.4.
The composition of the present invention may be used in cosmetics, pharmacology, medicine and/or surgery, into an implantable device or an implant for repair, reconstruction and/or replacement of tissues and/or organs, as an implantable, transdermal or dermatological drug delivery system, as an opthalmological implant or a drug delivery system, or in cells-loaded artificial matrices for engineering and culture of bioengineered hybrid materials and tissue equivalents.
The composition may be loaded with cells selected from the group consisting of chondrocytes (articular cartilage), fibrochondrocytes (meniscus), ligament fibroblasts (ligament), skin fibroblasts (skin), tenocytes (tendons), myofibroblasts (muscle), mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocytes (skin). Such composition may be used in culturing and engineering of artificial articular cartilage and cartilageous tissues and organs, either for surgical or laboratory testing applications.
The composition of the present invention may also be used in processing and engineering of living artificial substitutes for ligaments, tendons, skin, bone muscles and any metabolic organs, either for surgical or laboratory testing applications, in living substitutes for the replacement of articular cartilages, fibrocartilages, cartilageous organs, ligaments, tendons, bone tissues or skin, to induce an ectopic formation of fibrocartilage-like or cartilage-like tissues, as an injectable or implantable gel biomaterial which acts as supports, carriers, reconstructive devices or substitutes for the formation in situ of bone-like, fibrocartilage-like or cartilage-like tissues, and/or in cosmetics, pharmacology, medicine and/or surgery.
For the purpose of the present invention the following terms and expressions are defined below.
The term "gelating temperature" is intended to mean any temperature ranging from about 30°C to about 80°C, preferably between 30°C and 60°C, and more preferably at about the physiological temperature or 37°C.
The term "pH-controlled acid-soluble biopolymer" refers to a biological polymer that is solubilized in an acidic aqueous medium, and precipitates or gels heterogeneously when the pH is increased.
The expression "three-dimensional" refers herein to the fact that the polymeric solution is simultaneously gelated and shaped by the mold wherein the solution was initially poured. Gels can be produced in glass or plastic bechers, dishes, tubes or between two plates so as to obtain any expected shapes.
The expression "in situ gelation" refers herein to the formation of gels by injecting the liquid solution within specific sites of mammalian or human environments, e.g. any tissues (muscles, bone, ligaments, cartilages) and organs. Gelation in situ allows complete and precise filling of tissue defects or body cavities. The gelation of biopolymer mixture is induced by the physiological temperature.
The expression "endothermal gelation" refers herein to the thermal mechanism of the solution, which enables the solution to gelate upon standing at the desired temperature. Induction of sol to gel transitions of systems requires energy via, for example, the temperature.
The expression "residue" refers herein to a series of biochemical molecules having a common specific chemical function. Example: the amino acid residues.
The expression "sequence" refers herein to the association of two or several molecules or residues. Example: a sequence of amino acid residues (LYS-ASP-PRO-GLY-LYS).
The expression "basic character" refers herein to the ability of a chemical molecule in aqueous solution to capture protons (H⁺), thus leading to an increase in pH.
The expression "cells or cellular matters" refers herein to living biologicals, such as isolated cells, cellular dispersion, cell aggregates, cell spheroids or cells adhered to solid microspheres particles, that are encapsulated within the gels.
It is possible to form different gelated materials, those materials being either molded (customized shapes, tubes, membranes, films...) or formed in situ within biological environments (filling of tissue defects).
In a preferred embodiment, the self-gelling biopolymer aqueous solution has a pH above that for normal precipitation, and turn into solid gel upon thermal stimulation. This biopolymer gel can be used as a carrier for drugs or as a non-living therapeutics delivery systems, as substituting materials for tissues and organs and as encapsulants for living cells or microorganisms. Gel matrices are rapidly formed at temperatures between 30 to 60°C. Such aqueous systems are used as injectable filling materials, injected and gelated in situ for filling and repairing tissue defects.
Biopolymeric gels can be applied to surgical reconstructive and regeneration uses and drug delivery purposes. They provide thermally reversible or irreversible bioerodible polymeric gels with biologically well-known and compatible components for a broad range of medical/biotechnological applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates a plot of the Elastic Modulus G' (Pa) vs. Temperature (Celsius) illustrating the thermal gelling/ungelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with MOPS (2.0% w/v) upon cooling/heating;
Fig. 2 illustrates a plot of the elastic modulus G' (Pa) vs. Temperature (Celsius) illustrating the thermal gelling/ungelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with MOPSO (3.0% w/v) upon cooling/heating;
Fig. 3 illustrates a plot of the Elastic Modulus G' (Pa) vs. Temperature (Celsius) illustrating the thermal gelling/ungelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with BIS-TRIS (3.0% w/v) upon cooling/heating;
Fig. 4 illustrates a plot of the Elastic Modulus G' (Pa) vs. Temperature (Celsius) illustrating the thermal gelling/ungelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with MES (8.0% w/v) upon cooling/heating;
Fig. 5 illustrates a plot of the Elastic Modulus (Pa) vs. Temperature (Celsius) illustrating the thermal gelling/ungelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with BES (2.0% w/v) upon cooling/heating;
Fig. 6 illustrates a plot of the Turbidimetry (NTU) vs. Time illustrating the thermal gelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with GP (8.0% w/v, pH=7.2) and without GP (pH=5.4) at 37°C;
Fig. 7 illustrates a plot of the Turbidimetry (NTU) vs. Time illustrating the thermal gelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with BES (2.0% w/v) and without BES (pH=5.4) at 37°C; and
Fig. 8 illustrates a plot of the Turbidimetry (NTU) vs. Time illustrating the thermal gelling of chitosan (2% w/v, deacetylation 85%) solution with BIS-TRIS, at different BIS-TRIS content, from 2.0 to 4.0% w/v, at 37°C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is proposed a new gelation mechanism that combines hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. It can only be achieved through complex interactions between biological macromolecules or synthetic polymers, water molecules and specific biochemical molecules having special actions.
In accordance with the present invention, the concerned biopolymer should be insoluble in water under neutral conditions pH = 7.
A method is disclosed for preparing a composition which comprises the steps a) of dissolving a pH-gelling acid-soluble biopolymer as defined in claim 1 within an aqueous acidic solution of a pH from about 1.0 to about 5.0 to obtain an aqueous biopolymer composition having a concentration of 0.1 to 5% by weight of said biopolymer, and b) dissolving 0.1 to 10% by weight of a water-soluble molecule having a moderate basic character as defined in claim 1, within said aqueous biopolymer composition to obtain a clear liquid formulation with a pH ranging between 6.5 and 7.4. The final step is the heating of liquid formulation at a temperature above 30°C to obtain a solid gel, wherein said gel has a concentration of 0.1 to 5.0% by weight of said biopolymer, and a concentration of 0.1 to 10% by weight of said molecule, and has a pH from about 6.4 to about 7.4.
The aqueous acidic solution is prepared from organic or inorganic acids that are selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, salicylic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, propionic acid, formic acid, and a mixture thereof. Solubilization of pH-controlled acid-soluble biopolymers in aqueous solution requires acidic aqueous solutions having a pH ranging from 1.0 to 5.0.
The selected biopolymer is a pH-gelling acid-soluble chitosan, said chitosan biopolymer being cationic and bearing amino groups, or collagen.
A second polymer, selected from a groups comprising collagen, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propylcellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polycaprolactone diols, and derivatives, and any mixture thereof, can be incorporated within the biopolymeric solution.
The admixed molecule is required to play a double role: 1) to increase the pH within the biopolymeric solution up the physiological conditions, and 2) to prevent the immediate gelation or aggregation. The required molecule, preferentially selected from specific organic salts and amino-acids, should have a moderate basic character and a pKa between 6.0 and 7.6. Typically, the selected molecule should have a great sensitivity in terms of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity (hydrophobic hydration and dehydration) and thermal sensitivity. Such effects are based upon a competition for hydration between apolar and polar groups of said molecule, which enables the design of molecular machines by free energy conversion.
The molecule, is preferably a sodium, magnesium or iron salt of N-[carbamoylmethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (ACES), N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (BES), 3-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-ethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (DIPSO), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-3-propanesulfonate (HEPES), 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonate (MES), 4-[N-morpholino] butanesulfonate (MOBS), 3-[N-morpholino]butanesulfonate (MOPS), 3-[N-morpholino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (MOPSO), 3-[N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (TAPSO), N-tris [hydroxymethyl] methyl-2-minoethanesulfonate(TES), bis [2-hydroxyethyl]iminotris [hydroxymethyl]methane (BIS-TRIS), 3-mopholino 1-1-propane diol, and derivatives, and any mixture thereof.
The molecule, may also be selected from specific amino-acid residues, amino-acid sequences or poly(amino acids) having a basic character and a pKa between 6.0 and 7.6, preferentially histidine (His).
A pharmaceutical or bioactive agent can be added to the liquid biopolymer containing solution of step a) or b). It can be highly soluble, sparingly soluble or non-soluble in the aqueous formulation. Solid particulate additives such as non-polymeric microspheres or nanospheres, mineral or ceramic granules or powders, can be added to the biopolymer solution of step a) or b).
The mixture can be dispensed for gelation into a desired receiver, either in a mold or within a tissue, organ or body cavity. It can be kept in a stable ungelled liquid form at a temperature ranging from about 0°C to about 20°C. The solidifying temperature is ranging from about 37°C to about 60°C, and preferably about 37°C.
Practically, the mixture is introduced within an animal or human body by injection or endoscopic administration, and gelled in situ at a temperature of about 37°C.

Table 1 below provides composition of some preferred examples for buffering/gelling agents with a 2% w/v chitosan solution (deacetylation 85%).

TABLE 1

Agent	pKa	Concentration (mM)	pH	Intrinsic Gelling Temperature (°C)
BES	7.1	85.03	7.1	38.5
MOPS	7.2	86.5	7.2	32
MOPSO	6.9	121.35	7.2	32.2
BIS-TRIS	6.5	191.20	7.15	25.5
MES	6.1	361.0	7.2	35.5

Formation of biopolymeric gels

A selected biopolymer in powder form is dissolved in an aqueous acidic solution until the occurrence of a clear solution is obtained. The proportion of biopolymer varies from 0.5 to 10.0% w/v, preferentially from 1.0 to 3.0% w/v. The pH of the aqueous biopolymer solution ranges from 4.0 to 5.5. Aqueous biopolymer solutions can be sterilized either by autoclaving or filtration with in-line sterile filters (0.22 micrometer). Freshly-prepared aqueous biopolymer solutions are stored preferably at low positive temperature (4°C). The added molecule with a moderate basic character is dissolved in water, then admixed to the aqueous biopolymer solution at a temperatures ranging from 4 to 15°C, preferably 10°C. When a clear homogeneous aqueous solution with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 7.0 is attained, the said solution is poured into the desired receiver, and hold to appropriate temperature to gel.
The nature of the acid that is used for the acidic biopolymer solutions does not influence fundamentally the sol to gel transition of the system. The final pH within the solution is dependent upon the pH of the water/acid solution as well as the biopolymer and molecule concentrations. As the biopolymer and molecule are two basic components, they tend to increase the pH of the acidic solution wherein they are dissolved. Concentrations in this biopolymer and molecule can be balanced to reach the appropriate pH of the solution, while taking into consideration the solubility limit of both components, and particularly the one of biopolymer.

In situ formation of gels

The selected molecule tested to be incorporated in the polymeric solution was histidine, but similar results were obtained with other amino acids or synthetic molecules having similar functions and basic character. In situ gelation of the biopolymer solution can be conducted by dispensing the solution from a hypodermic syringe. If needed, the solution may be pregelated (initiate the thermal gelation) by keeping the syringe and biopolymer solution at desired temperature, ideally 37°C, until the first signs of gelation appear. The ready-to-gel biopolymer mixture is then administrated so as to fill tissue defects or cavities and complete in situ the gelation process (at 37°C). A needle having a gauge of 20 and below is ideal material for injection of such gel solution. Body cavities and tissue defects act as recipients for the solution, but the liquid materials remain in an open aqueous environment. The conformability and diffusability of the biopolymer solutions is dependent upon the solution and material properties. Increased viscosity results in formation in situ of more compact and less conformable gels.

Therapeutic use and other uses of biopolymeric Gels

Such a biopolymeric gel as previously described is an ideal material for drug delivery system. Such a in situ gel-like forming vehicle, wherein a solid particulate or water-soluble additive is incorporated prior to the gelation, can be administrated topically, directly to the body site to be treated or diagnosed. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, anti-viral, anti-glucoma, miotic and anti-cholinergies, anti-psychotic, anti-histaminic and decongestant, anesthesic and anti-parasitic agents may be incorporated within the composition and gel. In a similar fashion, non-living pharmaceutical agents may be incorporated within the composition or gel for restorative, reconstructive or regenerative purposes.
Living microorganisms, plant cells, animal cells or human cells may be entrapped identically within the biopolymer gel by introduction prior to the gelation. The cells or micro-organisms loaded gels may be applied to biotechnological purposes in medicine or in other industrial areas. Biopolymer in situ forming gels can be formed sub-cutaneously, intramuscularly, intra-peritoneally or within biological connective tissues, bone defects, fractures, articular cavities, body conduits or cavities, eye culrde-sac, solid tumor vasculatures, etc...
The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples, which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope.

Example 1

This example shows the typical experiments of acidic biopolymer solutions neutralized with organo-sulfonate, preferentially N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (BES), and transformed to gel upon standing at 37°C.

Experiment 1: gelation of chitosan/BES

In this experiment, 200 mg of chitosan 85% deacetylated was dissolved in 8.5 mL of aqueous HCl solution (0.1 M). The chitosan solution, so obtained had a pH of about 5.0, was cooled down to around 4°C. Then 200 mg of BES in form of sodium salt was dissolved in 1.5 mL of cold water and added slowly to the cold chitosan solution under vigorous stirring. The pH of the resulting homogeneous and clear solution increases to about 7.17. This solution was disposed in a glass scintillation vial in the incubator at 37°C. Bulk gelation occurs in 10 minutes.

Experiment 2: gelation of collagen/BES

Collagen was isolated from knee joint cartilage of calf and was made mainly of type II collagen. An aqueous solution of collagen (2% w/v) was prepared by dissolving 200 mg of collagen in 8.5 ml of an acetic acid solution with a pH about 3.6. Once a clear solution was obtained, it was cooled down to about 4°C, and then a cold solution of 200 mg of BES in 1.5 mL of water was added under continuous stirring. When the resulting neutral solution (pH ~ 7.2) appeared quite homogeneous and clear, it was poured in a Petri dish and placed at 37°C. A homogeneous uniform gel formed within 15 minutes.

Experiment 3: gelation of Chitosan-Collagen/BES

Collagen (100 mg) of the same origin (Example 1, Experiment 2) was first dissolved in 10 ml of an acetic acid solution (0.1 M). Then 100 mg of Chitosan was added to the resulting solution and stirred until all Chitosan was completely dissolved. After the whole system was cooled down to around 4°C, and 200 mg of BES in form of sodium salt dissolved in 1.5 ml of cold water, was added under continuous stirring. Once the solution was perfectly homogeneous and clear, the liquid mixture was poured in a Petri dish and placed at 37°C. The gel formed within 5 minutes.

Example 2

This example shows the typical experiments of acidic biopolymer solutions neutralized with tertiary hydroxyalkylamine, preferentially bis-[2-hydroxyethyl]iminotris [hydroxymethyl] methane (BIS-TRIS), and transformed to gel upon standing at 37°C.

Experiment 1: gelation of chitosan/BIS-TRIS

Chitosan solution with a pH around 5.0 was prepared by dissolving 200 mg of chitosan 85% deacetylated in 8.5 mL of aqueous HCl solution (0.1M). This chitosan solution was cooled down to around 4°C, after which 400 mg of BIS-TRIS dissolved in 1.5 mL of cold water was added slowly to the cold chitosan solution under vigorous stirring. The pH of the resulting homogeneous and clear solution increases to about 7.15. This solution was disposed in a glass scintillation vial in the incubator at 37°C. Bulk gelation occurs within 10 minutes.

Claims

A liquid self-gelling composition, that enables temperature-controlled pH-dependant formation of biopolymeric gels at a temperature between 30 and 80°C, characterized in that it comprises
a) an acidic water-based medium, and

b) 0.1 to 10 % by weight of a pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer selected from collagen and a cationic chitosan biopolymer bearing amino groups, and

c) 0.1 to 10 % by weight of a water soluble molecule, capable to capture protons in aqueous solution thereby leading to an increase in pH, selected from the group consisting of :
- sodium, magnesium or iron salts of N-[carbamoylmethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (ACES), N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (BES), 3-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (DIPSO), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-3-propanesulfonate (EPPS), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-4-butane-sulfonate (HEPBS), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonate (HEPES), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (HEPSO), 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonate (MES), 4-[N-morpholino]butanesulfonate (MOBS), 3-[N-morpholino]propanesulfonate (MOPS), 3-[N-morpholino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (MOPSO), piperazine-N',N'-bis[2-ethanesulfonate] (PIPES), piperazine-N,N'-bis[2-hydroxypropanesulfonate] (POPSO), 3-[N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (TAPSO), or N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonate (TES), or mixtures thereof ;

- N,N-bis[hydroxyethyl]glycine (BICINE), bis[2-hydroxyethyl]iminotris-[hydroxymethyl]methane (BIS-TRIS), glycyl-glycine (GLY-GLY), triethanolamine (TEA), N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methylglycine (TRICINE), tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane (TRIZMA), or mixtures thereof ;

- an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of histidine, arginine, lysine, asparagine, and glutamine or a mixture thereof, the amino acid residue optionally being modified with an acetyl, t-butyl, benzyl, benzoyl, ethyl, formyl, or methyl radical ;

- a sequence of amino acids including alanine, histidine, arginine, lysine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, norleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, or valine,

wherein said liquid composition has a final pH ranging from 5.8 to 7.4.
A composition according to Claim 1, characterized in that it becomes a gel at a temperature between 30 and 60 °C, preferably at a temperature of 37 °C.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said composition is prepared from an organic and/or inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, acetic acid, salicylic acid, formic acid, glutamic acid, phosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, and glycerophosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer is a cationic chitosan biopolymer bearing amino groups.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer is collagen.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises at least one other water-soluble polymer.
A composition according to Claim 6, wherein said at least one other water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of collagen, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propylcellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycaprolactone diols, and derivatives or mixtures thereof.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a solid particulate or a water-soluble additive.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a drug or a pharmaceutical agent.
A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises microorganisms, plant cells, animal cells or human cells dispersed therein.
A composition according to Claim 10, characterized in that said animal cells or human cells are selected from the group consisting of chondrocytes (articular cartilage), fibrochondrocytes (meniscus), ligament fibroblasts (ligament), skin fibroblasts (skin), tenocytes (tendons), myofibroblasts (muscle), mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocytes.
A method for preparing a composition according to any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that is comprises the steps of
a) dissolving a pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer selected from collagen and a cationic chitosan biopolymer bearing amino groups within an aqueous acidic solution having a pH from about 1.0 to about 5.0, at a temperature ranging from 0°C to 20°C, to obtain an aqueous polymer composition having a concentration of 0.1 to 10 % by weight of said polymer;

b) dissolving 0.1 to 10 % by weight of a water soluble molecule, capable to capture protons in aqueous solution thereby leading to an increase in pH, selected from the group consisting of
- sodium, magnesium or iron salts of N-[carbamoylmethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (ACES), N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethane sulfonate (BES), 3-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (DIPSO), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-3-propanesulfonate (EPPS), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-4-butane-sulfonate (HEPBS), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonate (HEPES), N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (HEPSO), 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonate (MES), 4-[N-morpholino]butanesulfonate (MOBS), 3-[N-morpholino]propanesulfonate (MOPS), 3-[N-morpholino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (MOPSO), piperazine-N',N'-bis[2-ethanesulfonate] (PIPES), piperazine-N,N'-bis[2-hydroxypropanesulfonate] (POPSO), 3-[N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (TAPSO), or N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonate (TES), or mixtures thereof ;

- N,N-bis[hydroxyethyl]glycine (BICINE), bis[2-hydroxyethyl]iminotris-[hydroxymethyl]methane (BIS-TRIS), glycyl-glycine (GLY-GLY), triethanolamine (TEA), N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methylglycine (TRICINE), or tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane (TRIZMA), ormixtures thereof ;

- an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of histidine, arginine, lysine, asparagine, and glutamine or a mixture thereof, the amino acid residue optionally being modified with an acetyl, t-butyl, benzyl, benzoyl, ethyl, formyl, or methyl radical ;

- a sequence of amino acids including alanine, histidine, arginine, lysine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, norleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, or valine,

to obtain a clear liquid formulation with a pH ranging between 5.8 and 7.4.
The method of claim 12, characterized in that said aqueous acidic solution is prepared from an organic and/or inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, acetic acid, salicylic acid, formic acid, glutamic acid, phosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, and glycerophosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.
The method of any of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer is a cationic chitosan biopolymer bearing amino groups.
The method of Claim 14, characterized in that chitosan has a degree of deacetylation ranging from 35 to 99 %.
The method of any of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said pH-gelling acid soluble biopolymer is collagen.
The method of any of Claims 12, to 16 characterized in that it further comprises adding a solid particulate additive to the biopolymer solution of step a) or b).
The method of any of Claims 12, to 17 characterized in that it further comprises adding at least one other water-soluble polymer to the biopolymer solution of step a) or b).
The method of Claim 18, characterized in that said at least one other water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of collagen, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl propyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycaprolactone diols, and derivatives or mixtures thereof.
A method for preparing a solid biopolymer gel having a pH from about 5.8 to about 7.4, comprising heating a liquid formulation according to claims 1 to 11 at a temperature above 30 °C and below 80 °C.